Top 5 tips for planning a Disney vacation
Note: These tips were first published in July 2021, and a lot has changed recently when it comes to travel and COVID precautions. We’ve added some additional info that we hope will help as you’re planning your 2022 Disney trip.
If your family has never experienced the magic of a trip to Disney (or even if you have), get ready, mama, because these top tips for planning a Disney vacation are going to have you itching to book your tickets! As we start to think about family vacations after a lengthy hiatus, theCityMoms sat down with Katie Surfleet of Global Voyages Incorporated for a Facebook Live chat about the happiest place on Earth. It’s no secret that planning a Disney trip can feel daunting, but with help from a travel agent like Katie and these five tips, your Disney vacation may be just around the corner.
Here are Katie's top tips for planning a Disney vacation:
Tip #1: Utilize the services of a travel consultant, especially one that specializes in Disney vacations, and check out the Know Before You Go portion of the website.
Working with a travel planner like Katie, someone who knows the ins and outs of Disney and will do as much or as little planning as you’d like, can save you many precious hours, especially in the case of something like a cancellation.
Tip #2: Know your budget and your preferred travel dates, and check the theme park reservation calendar to get an idea of crowd size and capacity.
Disney vacations can be pricey, so consider going when schools are in session to save money and reduce the crowds you’ll encounter. Avoid booking trips over holidays if possible.
Tip #3: Know the three pricing tiers and book your trip as far in advance as possible.
Another money-saving tip, booking as soon as you can may allow you to save some cash and also spread out the total cost of your trip. Katie explains that $200 allows you to lock in your resort reservation (typically as early as 499 days before you travel), and you can add your park admission tickets once those become available. As for where to stay, Disney offers three resort categories to suit your needs: value, moderate, and deluxe. Each level provides a different feel and price point, so there is an option for everyone. Pricing will vary based on the dates of your stay, with higher costs and less availability during peak travel times.
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Tip #4: Familiarize yourself with the different parks.
Disney World boasts four unique parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) which each have their own theme and offerings. Visit any number of them during your trip, and consider the benefits of ticket types: base tickets, which allow you to visit one park per day, versus park hopper tickets, which allow you to move from one park to another on the same day. Katie shares that base tickets may be your best bet if it’s a busy day as traveling between parks can eat up a lot of time. She suggests visiting a park in the morning, heading back to cool off in the resort pool or doing some shopping at Disney Springs for the afternoon, and then returning to the park to finish out the evening.
Tip #5: Disney makes it super convenient to stay on property.
With an array of resorts, restaurants, and shopping as well as complimentary transportation including the Monorail, Skyliner, and water taxi, staying on-site can’t be beaten. Katie shares that taking advantage of Disney transportation allows you to relax and pace yourself. Staying on the property also allows you to travel between resorts, check out other pools, and eat at any restaurant you’d like. There’s nothing sweeter than the convenience of a Disney vacation with access to the My Disney Experience App that allows you to view maps, take advantage of Genie+ service (check out the bonus tip below) link FastPasses, see menus and create dining reservations along with magic bands that let you ditch your purse or wallet and can store your credit card and room key.
BONUS Tip: Get familiar with some changes that will make your Disney experience different in 2022.
No doubt the biggest difference from how Disney has operated in the past is that free FastPasses are no longer available. Instead, visitors can purchase the new Genie+ service for use on almost all rides, or individual Lightning Lane passes for the most popular attractions. Learn about both time-saving options here or here and note that you can purchase Genie+ in advance OR upgrade the day of your park visit, and you don’t have to purchase it for every day of your trip.
Another change: many quick-service dining options now offer mobile ordering only, so save time by planning ahead and familiarizing yourself with the My Disney Experience App. PhotoPass and Memory Maker add an extra degree of ease since Disney cast members are not currently permitted to take pictures using a personal phone or camera. You can use your phone to take a selfie with a character or have a family member snap a pic, but characters are not able to sign autographs right now either.
As for other COVID precautions, masks are currently optional for all guests EXCEPT when using Disney transportation (buses, boats, monorails) where they are required for all guests ages two and up. In good news, along with the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade, Disney has added shorter cavalcades for a quick opportunity to see some favorite characters.
